Get the tools (Windows Store apps)

To develop Windows Store apps, you need to install Windows 8 and some developer tools. Get them here, for free.

1. Download Windows 8

   Windows Store apps run only on Windows 8.

   

2. After you install Windows 8, go to Downloads for developers, find the Download tools and SDK heading, and click the Download now button.

   This download gives you Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8, Blend for Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 for Windows 8, the Windows 8 software development kit (SDK), and project templates for creating new Windows Store apps.

   • Visual Studio gives you everything you need to create code, debug, localize, package, and deploy a Windows Store app.
   • Blend is another tool you can use to create Windows Store apps. It provides effective support for designing a great-looking user interface for your Windows Store app.

   Visual Studio and Blend were designed to work together. You can move seamlessly back and forth between them to develop your app.

What's next?

You need a developer license before you can start creating Windows Store apps. Get a developer license.

Build date: 3/11/2013